Contributors

Gina Neely, Food Network TV Star: Women Entrepreneur Series

In February 1988, four brothers – Gaelin, Tony, Mark and Patrick – launched into the barbeque business, opening their first restaurant in downtown Memphis, with only tables, chairs and one BBQ pit. The brothers started building a reputation of hard work, great BBQ and consistently good service. Four years later after a huge demand we expanded to an East Memphis location, which opened in October 1992. This venture created city-wide exposure. With the expansion of a second location, the brothers knew they would have to rely on more family, so without hesitation their mother, Lorine, and Patrick's wife, Gina, came in and helped take Neely's to the next level.

In 1997 a local TV station held a BBQ contest for the best ribs that was featured on the Today show with Al Roker. Competing against other top BBQ restaurants in Memphis, Neely's won hands-down! Being voted number one in Memphis created another growth opportunity for Neely's.
 
The producers got a chance to meet Gina, this dynamic power house with a mega watt smile and infectious personality, and they knew she and Patrick would be a natural for the Food Network Television show, and "Down Home with the Neely's" was launched and immediately became an in demand program.

In March 2001, Neely's opened its third location in Nashville, Tennessee.  Tony relocated to the Music City to head up this operation. Since the move to Nashville, Neely's has been voted number one ribs in Nashville as well. Now that Neely's has become a powerhouse of BBQ in the state of Tennessee, they have become a regular guest of Al Roker TV Shows. They have also been featured on  Good Morning America, The Food Network with Bobby Flay and the Today show. National publication coverage includes USA Today, New York Times, Bon-Appetit, Southern Living magazine and a host of local publications in Memphis and Nashville.

Gina Neely has also expertly managed Neely's Catering and Tour Group Sales, expanding that area of the business to another level that the brothers never imagined. 

Gina is not only phenomenon in the television industry, she is passionate about helping women and girls get mentoring and direction to develop their best life. Her goal is to launch a foundation, "One Village" to help women and girls with issues that include self esteem, personal development and to learn to explore options for their personal and professional careers.

In spite of a busy television production schedule and being a wife and mother, Gina has plans to release her first cookbook in 2009 and several e-books and podcasts directed to improve the lives of women and girls.

The Neely family plans to continue to provide the great BBQ that has brought us from the tiny, little-known BBQ place 17 years ago to the premier BBQ restaurant in the State of Tennessee.
Neely's BBQ products are sold in both major Arenas in the two cities (FedEXForum in Memphis and Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville). Neely's BBQ sauce is sold in local grocery stores and shipped via internet all over the country.
Neely's has maintained a superior quality in our products and services. They believe in family, hard work, dedication, pride and a great passion for the restaurant business. 
For more information, visit: www.NeelysBBQ.com

Photo copyright: Craig Collier